Bailey Wright believes he could be playing alongside a future England captain in Callum Doyle.
Sunderland's crop of youngsters have exceeded all expectations this season, with on-loan Manchester City defender Doyle one of the standout performers in a group that also includes the likes of academy graduates Dan Neil and Elliot Embleton, along with summer additions Niall Huggins, Dennis Cirkin, and loanees Nathan Broadhead and Thorben Hoffmann.
At 29, Wright is one of the Black Cats' elder statesmen - only Aiden McGeady, Corry Evans, and Tom Flanagan are older than him - this season.
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And the Australia international centre-back is excited by the young talent in the squad, and especially 17-year-old Doyle who he says has the potential to go to the very top.
"I hadn't really seen them play that often [before they arrived] so you are kind of just trusting the people that are paid to do that job in recruitment," said Wright of the young players.
"Our job as players is just to focus day-to-day on the football pitch, in the dressing room, and to allow them to be their best. I think they have probably been better than anyone expected.
"I think expectations aside, they are just good lads who set high standards everyday so it's enjoyable when you have lads like that to work next to. They ask questions, they want to learn and will give suggestions.
"They are only at the start of their careers some of them, so you think I can't wait until I’m retired on my sofa one day and Callum Doyle is captain of England.
"ou think of things like that. You can't tell him that - actually you probably could, as a lad he is so humble.
"Sometimes as a player, I still think I’m in my prime at 29, but sometimes you think I'm excited to see where he's going to get to."
Sunderland took a conscious decision over the summer to reduce the average age of the squad both by signing young players and also by giving some of their homegrown players a chance to shine.
And it is not just their ability that has stood out, but also their attitude.
Wright said: "Firstly, there is a good lad and then you see what sort of player they are as well and are like it's a recipe for success and if they keep doing that they will have good careers.
"They have to focus on that day-to-day and keep getting better and avoid complacency.
"I think there is responsibility for all of us, which includes them.
"I think sometimes you forget their age because, first and foremost, they are great lads and good footballers as well, which is always a bonus.
"They bring things to the dressing room and I can see what they are doing.
"As a senior figure, and I guess there's a few us of, you just have to make sure when you come in everyday you feel comfortable to be yourself and enjoy what you do.
"Credit to the boys that have come in. They have raised the standards and raised the culture in that regard and all brought their own uniqueness to the group which I think is a credit to them that they have settled in.
"It's also a credit to the staff and players that they have created a culture that is enjoyable to come into and it's important we maintain that and that complacency doesn't creep in."
Wright made only his second league start of the season in the midweek 5-0 win against Cheltenham at the Stadium of Light - marking the occasion with a goal - with Doyle missing out due to a back problem.
It is not yet clear whether Wright will keep his place for this afternoon's trip to Portsmouth, or whether Doyle will return and Wright will revert to the role he has played on numerous occasions this season as the substitute Lee Johnson calls upon late in games when Sunderland have a lead to protect.
Wright insists he is happy to play any part as long as it helps Sunderland win - and says he sees the substitute role as the defensive equivalent of the contribution that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used to make for Manchester United at the other end of the pitch.
He said: "It's funny how it works like that and when you have a lead late on in games, teams tend to lump balls forward and play a bit differently.
"I've been ready when the manager has needed me. I'm always making sure I'm warming up before he asks me to because I kind of have in the back of my mind I could be an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sub coming on: not scoring goals, though, but getting the clean sheet, hopefully.
"If it's coming on or starting, I'm prepared to do a job and if that means biding my time to get in the XI, I have to do my best to help my team-mates and ultimately get this club back to winning ways and where we want to be, which is promotion."
